It's that time again. Often, on weekends, we survey the past week, recalling the good, the bad, the favorable and the unfavorable. The following is how
my week stacked up.
My Highs
1. I was surrounded by serenity, even while enduring disappointments. I'm thankful for the harmony, inspiration and ease I have because of the dear friends.
2. I have amazing relationships. Through them, my need for acceptance, appreciation and belonging are met. I am lucky. This week I was surrounded by them. They upheld me as I dealt with stress.
3. I'm inching towards using my car again. It helps remembering life is moving at the exact right pace, even if it doesn't seem that way. Reality is not based upon my perceptions. The wisdom of the universe is greater than my limited perspective.
4. I'm thankful for having joy, regardless of my circumstances. It helps being undergirded by the supportive, encouraging love of my personal community.
5. I had an especially nurturing conversation this past week. I love connecting with those who speak my language. No, I'm not talking about English.
The language that truly moves me is one that speaks from the mind's eye, that goes beyond the superficial, delving into more than the shape of a person or car. Inspiring conversations cover dearly held subjects, like how we can become more the person we dream to be. Overcoming despair and seizing the great big life God has for us are topics that move me.
My Lows
1. I'm having problems with my car, more than expected. It has been a financial drain.
Using Step 11, in recovery, for those who want to understand more about recovery---and you needn't be an alcoholic or drug addict---is seeing beyond the obvious.
Applying this step, I ask, "What is God saying through the events in my life, be it circumstantial, or what is happening within me, physically, emotionally or mentally?""Through prayer and meditation we try to increase our conscious contact with God as we know Him, praying only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry it out."
In life, if we are going in the wrong direction, it doesn't help running in the opposite direction----if we are on the wrong bus. We may want to step off of the bus of life, asking, "is this the way I want to go?"
Prayer is talking to God. Meditation is listening to Him. Investing time, quietly, before Him, gives perspective.
This means being abstinent from iPods, not allowing the tantalizing temptations of the telephone, internet or music to distract us from investing in ourselves, deepening our connection with the God.
Soon, I'll share what I've been learning through recent travails, including yesterday. It's enough to say for now that God is allowing me plenty of opportunities to practice grace, faith and patience."Be still and know I am God." Ps. 46:10
2. I'm not getting enough sleep.
3. I'm being challenged by others who are not consistent or considerate.
How About You?
What are your highs and lows for the past week?
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2 comments:
I hope the car issues are resolved soon. That's always a stressful situation. And I hope you are able to get more sleep. That's vital to one's mental well-being, though sometimes it's just hard to find the time.
Dear Innkeeper,
My highs and lows for the week...
Highs: (also my Gratitudes)
1. Continuation of recovery and healing for our #2 son.
2. Progress toward the Army National Guard for son #3.
3. The hopeful news that true love is closing in a loved-one.
4. Progress toward greater understanding, empathy, harmony and intimacy via two very constructive (tools to stay in the solution...) couples communication sessions with our mentor.
5. Being able to tap into Downton Abbey's Seasons 1, 2 and 3 via Amazon Prime and an HDMI cable from my laptop to our TV! Priceless. Now I have something to watch on TV (in addition to Blacklist) from now until January 2015! There is life after Season 4, after all!
6. The sense of relief and new-found energy from completing a challenging and sensitive homework assignment. Like finally having that difficult conversation, its never as bad as the (paper-tiger) dread of anticipation we conjure up on the dark, scary neighborhoods of our mind!
Lows: (also my Gratitudes, because if I handle them well, they can help me grow...)
1. Some ongoing challenges with prima-donna, diva chefs.
2. Seeing myself being a bit grumpy and reclusive in heart while hosting out of town guests. Need to work on that.
3. Ongoing, occasional bouts with doubt (nice alliteration...), hopelessness and sadness around challenging, but growing, step by step, one day at a time, relationships with loved ones.
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